hinge upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"hinge upon" is a correct phrase and is usable in written English.
It is used to express the idea that a result or consequence depends on something specific. For example, "His entire career will hinge upon whether his latest project is successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And bets hinge upon probabilities that can't be controlled.

The New York Times - Magazine

Of course, the NBA Finals didn't solely hinge upon Miami Heat's three star players.

The Guardian - Sport

In antidumping suits, which hinge upon production costs, Russia is treated as a "nonmarket" economy.

The New York Times

There's a scene near the end that the whole film should hinge upon.

The Guardian - Film

2016 has been full of pop culture breakthroughs that hinge upon exploring women's sexuality from multiple angles.

The Guardian

Issues of democracy and human rights rarely hinge upon moments of revolution, it is what comes afterwards that matters more.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Obama's electoral calculation may hinge upon three questions related to the politics of the Democratic and Republican base.

The New York Times

But our "place at the top table" and other not-insignificant benefits to both Scotland and UK hinge upon our membership of both Nato and the EU.

The Guardian

Many of the difficulties in achieving genuinely equal opportunities and social equality for men and women ultimately hinge upon the juggling act of children, household and career.

The Guardian - Opinion

Woolfe's arguments hinge upon an acceptance that Black people occupy and will continue to occupy low skilled jobs in British society.

Independent

But it is rare to have a movie season in which not one but two major films hinge upon an actor's willingness to go from beefy to rail-thin over the course of the movie.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hinge upon" to emphasize that a particular outcome is directly and significantly dependent on a specific factor. It adds a sense of criticality to the relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "hinge upon" in simple sentences where "depend on" or "rely on" would be more appropriate. "Hinge upon" is best reserved for situations where the dependence is crucial or pivotal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hinge upon" functions as a prepositional verb, indicating that a particular outcome or situation is crucially dependent on something else. This means the subject's fate or success is directly tied to the condition specified. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hinge upon" is a correct and frequently used prepositional phrase. It signifies that a particular result or consequence depends crucially on something else. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears across various reliable sources. It's important to note that while "hinge upon" and its alternatives like "depend on" share similar meanings, "hinge upon" carries a sense of criticality and importance. It is best to use in contexts where you want to draw attention to a significant determining factor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on

More common and slightly less formal than "hinge upon".

rely on

Similar to "depend on", but emphasizes reliance or trust.

rest on

Implies a foundation or basis of support.

be contingent on

More formal, emphasizing conditionality.

turn on

Highlights a pivotal point or decisive factor.

be predicated on

More academic and emphasizes a logical basis.

center on

Indicates that something is the main focus or point of attention.

be determined by

Focuses on the factor that decides the outcome.

be conditional upon

Stresses that an event or action will only occur if another does.

pivot on

Emphasizes a turning point or critical element.

FAQs

How can I use "hinge upon" in a sentence?

Use "hinge upon" to indicate that a particular outcome or result depends significantly on a specific condition or event. For example, "The success of the project will "hinge upon" securing sufficient funding."

What are some alternatives to "hinge upon"?

You can use alternatives like "depend on", "rely on", or "rest on" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "hinge upon" rather than "depend on"?

Yes, "hinge upon" is generally considered more formal than "depend on". It is often used in academic, professional, or news contexts to emphasize the critical nature of the dependence.

What's the difference between "hinge upon" and "be based on"?

"Hinge upon" suggests a critical dependency for a specific outcome, while "be based on" implies that something is founded or constructed on a particular principle or fact, which is a less time-sensitive relationship.